Atlanta Braves 2014 Top 15 Prospects

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Shae Simmons against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to some graduations to the big league club, the Atlanta Braves have a severely weakened minor league system heading into 2014. While the top two or three have All-Star type potential there are a lot of guys towards the middle and back of the Top 15 who project to be borderline major leaguers. Chris Headrick at Tomahawk Take was instrumental in putting together this list and provided me with outstanding comments on each of the players which I’m passing along to you with little of my own commentary.

Triple-A: Gwinnett Braves (International League)
Double-A: Mississippi Braves (Southern League)
High-A: Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League)
Class-A: Rome Braves (South Atlantic League)
Advanced-Rookie: Danville Braves (Appalachian League)
Complex-Rookie: GCL Braves (Gulf Coast League)

#15

Kyle Kubitza – 3B
Date of Birth: July 15, 1990
Height/Weight: 6’3″/190 lbs
Acquired: 3rd round of the 2011 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Kyle has a good feel for the strike zone, and has shown maturity at waiting for the pitch he wants. That said, Kyle has also shown some problems with striking out a touch too much when his swing gets a little long. Kyle has good power though, and as coaches work with him to shorten his swing, he should continue to improve.”

Kubitza also had a great season in the Arizona Fall League, showing off his very good gap power, contact skills and eye at the plate with a .305/.380/.434 line in 59 at bats.

2014 Prognosis: A step up to Double-A should be a good challenge for Kubitza.

#14

Carlos Salazar – RHP
Date of Birth: November 23, 1994
Height/Weight: 6’/200 lbs
Acquired: 3rd round of the 2013 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Anytime a high school player throws the kind of heat Salazar does, scouts take notice and Carlos can set the radar guns on fire, topping out at 97 mph! On top of that he also has an above average breaking ball for one as young as he is. Scouts say that he has good movement to the plate, but tends to fly open too much at times, causing pitches to sail high. Control is currently Salazar’s biggest issue, but that can be normal for an 18 year old, and with continued work, his mechanics will likely improve over time for better command.”

2014 Prognosis: Salazar might stay back in Rookie Ball for another year and try to figure out why he was hit so hard. I see him either in Danville or back in the GCL.

#13

Shae Simmons – RHP
Date of Birth: September 3, 1990
Height/Weight: 5’9″/180 lbs
Acquired: 22nd round of the 2012 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Simmons is not very big, but has a good deal of power nonetheless. Most scouts believe Shae will end up a closer because of his ability to throw his heater at around 96 mph. That coupled together with a hard slider, and an above average changeup, and fans should keep an eye out for Shae Simmons.”

Simmons had a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League despite some control issues (walking seven in 10 innings).

2014 Prognosis: Simmons will start in Double-A Mississippi and the club will see how he progresses there.

#12

Luis Merejo – LHP
Date of Birth: October 8, 1994
Height/Weight: 6’/175 lbs
Acquired: International free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011; $65,000 signing bonus

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Scouts found Merejo on the international front and were impressed. Most people would be when you find a young player able to throw a 94 mph fastball when he was just 17. Even better than his heater though is an above average curve and change. Merejo once struck out 53 hitters in only 41 rookie-ball innings, so the young pitcher has got some stuff.”

2014 Prognosis: A bargain in the international free agent pool, Merejo will look to get his career back on track after some injury issues in 2013. Look for him in Danville.

#11

Victor Caratini – 3B
Date of Birth: August 17, 1993
Height/Weight: 6’/205 lbs
Acquired: 2nd round of the 2013 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Scouts always take notice of a switch hitter and when you find one who has pretty good discipline from either side of the plate, you look even closer. Caratini was a catcher by trade, but has played quite a bit of 3B by necessity as well. Wherever he ends up, his defense is very good and he has the chops offensively as well.”

2014 Prognosis: He should step up to full-season ball in Rome.

Sep 26, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher David Hale (62) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

#10

Edward Salcedo – 3B
Date of Birth: July 30, 1991
Height/Weight: 6’3″/210 lbs
Acquired: International free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2010; $1.6 million signing bonus

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Salcedo has a good deal of raw power which scouts like to see but he tends to struggle at times with good plate discipline and is a touch too aggressive at times at the plate. Salcedo was not very good while playing shortstop but has improved considerably since moving to 3B, though he is still error prone. He has a great arm though and some seasoning and improvements could see a nice future infielder with a heavy bat.”

2014 Prognosis: Salcedo had a solid year but is looking to continue his climb up the ladder although I’m not so sure if he’ll get a promotion to start 2014. He could either start back in Mississippi or in Gwinnett.

#9

Cody Martin – RHP
Date of Birth: September 4, 1989
Height/Weight: 6’2″/225 lbs
Acquired: 7th round of the 2011 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Martin started out doing relief work, but has moved into a starting role. He needs to work on his pitching repetoire but essentially has four decent pitches already: a fastball, curve, change and cutter. Most scouts see him as a 2 or 3 guy and he reminds many of Kris Medlen.”

2014 Prognosis: Martin projects to be very versatile for the Braves and could either come out of the bullpen or be a back-end starter. He might not start the season with the big club but he could certainly finish it there.

#8

Mauricio Cabrera – RHP
Date of Birth: September 22, 1993
Height/Weight: 6’2″/180 lbs
Acquired: International free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011; $1.6 million signing bonus

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Cabrera works as a reliever but he could possibly end up a starter at some point in the future. With a fastball that is up around 97 mph (and could get faster), he still needs to develop some of his other pitches and have a better grasp of pitch to pitch command. If he can develop a touch more and learn some control, he could be a pitcher to watch a few years down the road.”

2014 Prognosis: With a big heater in a relief role, Cabrera could move quickly through the system but he’ll likely start in High-A Lynchburg.

#7

David Hale – RHP
Date of Birth: September 27, 1987
Height/Weight: 6’2″/205 lbs
Acquired: 3rd round of the 2009 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/13/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Hale has already pitched with the big club and has done remarkably well in a few spot starts. We don’t rank him as a prospect any higher because we haven’t seen him enough to really determine what his forte will be. Hale can work in relief and can work as a starter. He is mature, though, and has good control. It’s entirely possible we could see Hale again with the big club at some point in 2014.”

2014 Prognosis: Another big arm, Hale has already made his major league debut and will be in competition for a rotation spot in 2014.

#6

Tommy La Stella – 2B
Date of Birth: January 31, 1985
Height/Weight: 5’11″/185 lbs
Acquired: 8th round of the 2011 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says, “We like Tommy and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at some point in 2014 as a regular 2nd baseman for Atlanta. This kid is usually described as hard-nosed and gritty and he can hit the ball really well! He is just average defensively but continues to improve.”

2014 Prognosis: I wouldn’t be surprised if La Stella started in  Triple-A Gwinnett especially after his outstanding showing in Mississippi last year. The club likes him as the second baseman once Uggla’s contract is up but can the Braves keep him in the minors that long?

March 5, 2012; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt (68) throws to second in the game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

#5

Jose Peraza – SS
Date of Birth: April 30, 1994
Height/Weight: 6’/165 lbs
Acquired: International free agent out of Venezuela in 2011; $350,000 signing bonus

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “With Andrelton Simmons at short for the Atlanta Braves, any SS might have to wait awhile to get a good shot at the big club but Jose is a good future contender. His biggest tool is amazing speed on the base paths and while he doesn’t exactly have much power, he is a good contact hitter that rarely strikes out and can hit to all fields. Still young, careful development is the key for Jose.”

2014 Prognosis: Peraza will move up a level to Lynchburg in 2014.

#4

Christian Bethancourt – C
Date of Birth: September 2, 1991
Height/Weight: 6’2″/215 lbs
Acquired: International free agent out of Panama in 2008; $600,000 signing bonus

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Bethancourt is defensively one of the best minor league catcher’s playing today. His arm is so good that he could easily rival most big league catchers today. Scouts have looked for more power from him at the plate and this past season Christian began showing just that. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bethancourt brought up to catch at some point in the 2014 season for Atlanta.”

2014 Prognosis: Bethancourt is listed as 3rd on the Braves catching depth chart and, despite being only 22, may very well get a lot of major league action in 2014. I’d give him a few months in Triple-A to work on his hitting a bit before bringing him up to give El Oso Blanco a run for his money.

#3

Jason Hursh – RHP
Date of Birth: October 2, 1991
Height/Weight: 6’3″/190 lbs
Acquired: 1st round (31st overall) of the 2013 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “Like many young pitchers in the Atlanta organization, Hursh has a good fastball, topping out at around 95 mph. He has good command, works quickly and tends to generate a good deal of ground balls. He still needs work developing some of his secondary pitches — primarily his slider and change — but he’s developing well and looks good for the future. He reminds many scouts of a Mike Minor or Alex Wood.”

2014 Prognosis: Hursh was impressive, especially considering that he had Tommy John surgery in 2011. He’ll join Lynchburg to start 2014 unless he shows a big improvement in his offspeed pitches which will be key to getting his strikeout numbers up.

#2

J.R. Graham – RHP
Date of Birth: January 14, 1990
Height/Weight: 5’10″/195 lbs
Acquired: 4th round of the 2011 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “J.R. is not a huge strikeout guy but he has very good command, and gets a ton of groundball outs. With a fastball at around 97 mph that sinks well, he also has a great slider and a change that looks like a sinking spitter. Look for Graham in an Atlanta Braves uniform, probably sooner than later.”

2014 Prognosis: Shoulder problems limited his innings in 2013 and the Braves are hoping that he can overcome them moving forward. He could start 2014 anywhere from Double-A to the big leagues but it’s probably not a huge issue wherever he starts: if he stays healthy, he could be in the big leagues soon.

#1

Lucas Sims – RHP
Date of Birth: May 10, 1994
Height/Weight: 6’2″/195 lbs
Acquired: 1st round (21st overall) of the 2012 draft

2013 Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2014.

Analysis: Chris says: “At first glance, Sims might not seem to have as much “stuff” as Graham or other pitchers but he ranks number 1 on our prospect list because of a good 94 mph fastball, a nasty curve and athleticism that helps him repeat his delivery. He is aggressive on the mound and has the kind of command and presence that scouts and coaches absolutely love. Like Graham, look for Sims to move up very quickly.”

2014 Prognosis: After pitching 2013 in Rome, I could see the Braves bumping Sims up to Double-A to start 2014. If they don’t want to be so aggressive, he’ll start in Lynchburg and spend a couple of months there.